Deuteronomy 25:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the third volume, while I was attempting to clarify how Joseph could be regarded as having two fathers, I proposed that he was biologically conceived by one and legally acknowledged by the other. However, it is necessary to elaborate on the nature of this legal acknowledgment. My earlier statement may give the impression that he was recognized by another living father, but in reality, the Law permitted the recognition of the offspring of the deceased. It mandated that a brother should take his deceased sibling's wife if the latter passed away without children, to provide an heir to the deceased brother (cf. Matt. 1:16). Thus, in this light, the notion of one individual having two fathers becomes more comprehensible.

The commandment found in the Old Testament does not concern a physical brother resurrecting the lineage of a fallen sibling; rather, it alludes to that Brother who was to unite with the faithful remnant of Israel, embodying the wisdom that glorifies God. From this divine union, He would bring forth new life through the apostles. They were like unborn infants within the spiritual home of the synagogue, part of the deceased Jewish people. Yet, through the grace of God, they were granted the incredible privilege of being awakened to a new beginning.

The Jewish people maintained their lineage records through either biological descent or legal customs. To clarify, when the head of a family passed away, it was customary for his brother to father children with the widow, and these children would be considered the offspring of the deceased. This process was known as 'restoration of the seed.' Thus, when lineage was traced through natural relationships, the biological father was recognized as the living parent, while under legal customs, the deceased father was acknowledged. As a result, one man could have multiple children; some would be recognized as his natural offspring, while others would be associated with the family of his late elder brother, carrying his name.